"Well, they seem to have quite distinguished themselves for my special edification, for they not only turned their backs on each other, but even stood on their heads."
At these words, Squire Gabriel laughed greatly.
"So you looked inside them, eh?"
"I did."
"Now, look here! Forty persons have slept in that room; all of them have had experience of the marvel, and not one of them has looked to see if there was anything in the skulls."
"They feared, perhaps, that it would fare with them as with the adventurous clergyman."
"Were you not afraid?"
"Certainly, a little, but my curiosity was even greater than my fear. And now I very much regret I did look."
"Why?"
"Because I am an historical anecdote the poorer."